NEWSWIRE

IRELAND DERAILS CANADA'S WORLD CUP HOPES

Ireland have stormed through their first game in the knockout phase of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai with a facile ten-wicket win over Canada. With stiffer obstacles ahead - Netherlands are next - Ireland will not be complacent but were comfortably superior to the opposition in all departments.

When a wide outswinger from Trent Johnstontempted Hiral Patel to drive and edge to slip, it was the fifth time Ireland had taken a wicket in the first over in their eight games here. Ireland's pace pair has been a key element in their seven-match winning streak and so it was in this game. Johnston was given the Man of the Match accolade for his 2 for 9 from four overs.

"The more games we play, the better I'm getting," he said. "I didn't get a lot of wickets early on in the tournament but I like bowling here. It reminds me of Australian type pitches as there's a bit in it early on. As a bowler you know there's always something there if you're prepared to bend your back."

Canada opted to bat after winning the toss but only Ruvindu Gunasekera bedded down in the face of Johnston and Boyd Rankin's probing. Max Sorensen took a pasting in his first over, going for three boundaries, but redeemed himself on his return with a wicket maiden as the Canada captain Rizwan Cheema tried to clip him over mid-on. Sorensen, who was born in South Africa, took 3 for 7 off his last three overs, after a mixed start to the tournament.